Bolt-protector for rail-joints



(No Model.)

B. GILMORE.

BOLT PROTECTOR FOR RAIL JOINTS.

No. 360,519. PatentedAp r. 5, 1887.

UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

EDW ARD GILMORE, OF SOMERVILLE, NEXV JERSEY.

BOLT-PROTECTOR FOR RAIL-JOINTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 30 ,519, dated April 5,1887.

Application filed July 9, 1886. Serial No. 207,548. (No model.)

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD GILMORE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Som erville, in the county of Somerset and State of NewJersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bolt-Protectors for Rail-Joints; and I do hereby declare the following to bea full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and usethe same.

My invention consists of adevico constructed for the following purposes:First, to protect the ends of the bolts used with fislrplates to joinrails on railroads; second, to afford a lock for the nuts on said endsof the bolts, and, third, to prevent any cutting or injury to said boltsand nuts in cases of derailment of the engine or cars. 4

The annexed drawings clearly illustrate my bolt-protector and nut-lock,and will be re ferred to in the following specification.

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of my invention. Fig. 2 is also a viewin perspective, with a part broken away, showing a section through thepoint where the bolt passes. Fig. 8 is a sectional view embodying amodification of my bolt-protector and nut lock. Fig. 4 shows the innerface of the same.

The same letters of reference indicate identical parts in all thefigures.

My bolt-protector and nut-lock consists of a metal frame having threesides, A B O. The side A is bent near each extremity, and the bentportion Ainclined toward the ends of the side B, but extend beyond andfit snugly in the web of the rail, the side 0 being shaped so as topermit this. The lower outer edge of the side A is provided with aflange, a. The side 13 is provided with slots Z), made to fit closelyover the nuts on the ends of the bolts 1). The entire frame is kept inplace by means of ordinary railroad-spikes driven either through theflange a or just at the outer edge thereof, as shown.

The metal frame comprising my bolt-pro tector and nut lock may, however,be 0011- structed as represented in Fig. 3, where only two sides areused, the side A inclining from the top of side 13, while the remainingfeatures are the same as in the form just described.

Instead of the slots 1), the side B may beprovided with perforationsfitting over the bolts and nuts, and in some cases I may dispense withthe side B entirely. This construction would be employed in cases whereit is found desirable to provide nut-locks separate from the protector,or where such nut locks have already been provided.

Instead of my belt protector being constructed as shown anddescribedviz., of a hollow frame-it may be, made solid and provided onits inner side with recesses to admit the ends of the bolts and nuts.using my invention is apparent. The slots or recesses b in the side B,fitting closely over the nuts on the ends of the bolts I), afford a verysecure lock, and protect them from being fouled by oil, rust, or dirt.Also, in cases of derailment, owing to the peculiar shape of my device,the fiange of the car or engine wheels will be warded off, therebypreventing any damage to the bolts and nuts, which is liable to resultfrom such an accident when they are left exposed and unprotected.

I claim as my invention- 1. A protector for the ends and nuts of boltsused with fish-plates to join the ends of railroad-rails, consisting ofa metallic structure separate from the fish-plates, one side of whichtouches the rail above and below the said bolts and nuts, while the endsof said structure fit snugly in the web of the rail, inelosing andcovering the ends'of the bolts and nuts, substantially as described.

2. A protector for the ends and nuts of bolts used with fish-plates tojoin the ends of railroad-rails, consisting of a metallic structureseparate from-the fish-plates having inclined or tapering ends, saidends fitting against the side of the rail, and the structure alsofitting against the rail above and below the said bolts and nuts andinelosing and covering the same, substantially as described.

3. A protector for the ends and nuts of bolts used with fish-plates tojoin railroad-rails, consisting of a metallic structure separate fromthe fish-plates, fitting at its ends against the rail and also fittingagainst the rail above the nuts and bolts, inelosing and covering saidnuts and bolts, and provided on the side nearest the rail withprojections forming nutlocks, substantially as described.

4. A protector for the ends and nuts of bolts The manner of used withfish-plates tojoin railroad-rails, consisting of a metallic structureseparate from the fish-plates having inclined or tapering ends, saidends fitting against the side of the rail, and one side also fittingagainst the rail above the said bolts and nuts and inclosing andcovering the same, the said side being provided with adownwardly-extending projection or projections forming nut-locks toreceive the nuts 011 the ends of the bolts, substantially as described.

5. A protector for the nuts and bolts used with fish-plates to connectthe ends of railroad-rails, consisting of a metallic structure separatefrom the fishplates having inclined or tapering ends fitting against theside of the rails, the side forming the outer portion of the structurefitting against the rails above the bolt and nuts,and being providedwith adownwardly extending flange having openings forming nut-locks,substantially as described. 6. A protector for bolts and nuts used withfish-plates to join the ends of railroad-rails, consisting of ametallic'structure having two or more sides, A B, the ends of the side Abeing bent toward and fitting into the web of the rail, and the lowerouter edge of the said side A being provided with a flange, a, extendingbetween the points of bending, and the side B, fitting against the railabove thenuts and bolts and being provided with nutlocks b, substantially as before set forth.

In testimony whereof I have affixcd my signaturcin presence of twowitnesses.

EDWARD G-ILMQRE. Vitnesses:

HUGH M. GASTON, JAMES J. BERGI-T.

